| abstract |
Endoplasmic reticulum stress has been found to be associated with obesity. Therefore, agents that reduce or prevent ER stress may be used to treat diseases associated with obesity including peripheral insulin resistance, hypergylcemia, and type 2 diabetes. Two compounds which have been shown to reduce ER stress and to reduce blood glucose levels include 4-phenyl butyric acid (PBA), tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Other compounds useful in reducing ER stress are chemical chaperones such as trimethylamine N-oxide and glycerol. The present invention provides methods of treating a subject suffering from obesity, hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistance using ER stress reducers such as PBA, TUDCA, and TMAO. Methods of screening for ER stress reducers by identifying agents that reduce levels of ER stress markers in ER stressed cells are also provided. These agents may find use in methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating obesity-associated diseases. |